Hydrostatic valve, more particularly for siphon discharge apparatus



Feb. 4, 1936. I R NlCCOLAl 2,029,939

HYDROSTAT IC VALVE, MORE PARTICULARLY FOR SIPHON DISCHARGE APPARATUS Filed June 22, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet l P nicco/aL Feb. 4, 1936. R. NI'CCOLA) 2,029,939

HYDROSTATIC VALVE, MORE PARTICULARLY FOR SIPHON DISCHARGE APPARATUS Filed June 22, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 NVEN To I? Feb. 4, 1936. R NICCOLA, 2,029,939

HYDROSTATIC VALVE, MORE PARTICULARLY FOR SIPHON DISCHARGE APPARATUS Filed June 22, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet s mww R. NICCOLAI Feb. 4, 1936.

HYDROSTATIC VALVE, MORE PARTICULARLY FOR SIPHON DISCHARGE APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 22, 1934 stares HYDROSTATEC VALVE, MGRE PARTICULAR- LY FOB SIPHON DISCHARGE APPARATUS Ruggero Niccolai, Rome, Italy Application June 22, 1934, Serial No. 731,997 In Italy August 22, 1933 4 Claims. (Cl. 137106) The invention relates to a hydrostatic valve its upper part at the level 9, which is so calculatfor-suction discharging devices or siphons of liquid ed that the difference in level between the points containers, a small hydrostatic difference in equil an 9 sp n t a column of wa r which librium being employed in order suddenly to open exactly balances the mevXimum Pressure which a gas- (or air-) discharging conduit under presthe gas can attain in the Containersure, so that a free outlet can take place fter To describe the operation of the device, it will the pressure has attained a predetermined value, he assumed that it is full of Water, at least up to the outlet conduit being therefore maintained t l v l '0- open, despite the fact that the gas pressure gradu- In proportion as the gets pressure in the C011- ally falls until it disappears, tainer increases, it acts through the pipe 6 on 10 Apart from a number of advantages t b d the water contained in the vessel l and in the scribed hereinafter, one of the principal advanp 2 50 that the level of the Said Water falls, tages of the invention is the reliability of the and efieets through the p p 3 and 4 the raising operation of the hydrostatic valve. of a column of Water in the p l e d 00 In the accompanying drawings; umn of water obviously not being able to rise 15 Figs. 1 and 2 show in vertical and horizontal above the point section, respectively, the hydrostatic valve ac- AS the pressure Increased a y e s of Wate cording to the invention, in the container l and in the pipe 2 slows away Fig. 3 shows a complete diagram of a water 0V6! the m 2r cl set provided ith th discharging device When the gas in the container reaches the pre- Fig; 4 shows a id i of th siphon determined pressure, the water in the container Figs. 5 and 6 are vertical sections along the line I and in the p p 2 Will have fallen to e level VV and VI--VI in Fig. 4. 'l, and the gas pressure is balanced by the column Fig. '7 shows the arrangement of the push but- Of Water which has been formed in the p p 5 ton for controlling the siphon. between the levels I and 9. 25

Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 11 are horizontal sections With continued increasing gas pressure in the along the lines VIII-VIII, IX-IX, X. X d container, the balanced column of water which XI-XI in Figures 5 and 6. has now attained its maximum level, cannot as- Fig. 12 is a section similar to Fig. 5 but with d y higher. C q ntly, the condition of so some modifications. equilibrium is disturbed and the gas of the con- Figs. 13 and 1e are horizontal sections along tam r escapes freely through the p p 3 n the lines XIII-XIII and KV-XIV in Figures 5, which remain fully open, because the water 12 and 6. residue of the pipes 3 and 5, which residue prac- Fig. 15 is a section similar to Fig. 5 but with tically cannot p ahove the point descends some simplifications. again through the pipe i into the vessel l, which 35 Figs. 16 and 17 are horizontal sections along as stated can contain its entire quantity situated the lines XVIXVI and XVII-XVII in Figs. between i and 8 without allowing any overflow 15 and 6. into the pipe 2 over the point 8 or in the pipe 3 Fig. 18 is a section similar to Fig. 12 but with v r e p t if o c uc io c sidsome simplifications, and finally erations the point B is situated above point It]. 40

Figs. 19 and 20 are horizontal sections along The filling of the device which is necessary in the lines XIXHX and XX-XX in Figures 18 order that, after the escape of the gas, the deand 6. vice shall be again ready in its initial conditions The hydrostatic valve, Figures 1 and 2, cornfor a new operation may be eiiected in different prises substantially the vessel and the pipes 2, ways according to the diiierent intended pur- 45 3, 4 and 5. The vessel 5 is connected by the pipe poses, as will be described, for example by the 6 .to a container in which air or some other gas following form of construction.

is compressed to a predetermined pressure, above Figures 3 to 11 show the invention as applied which the gas can escape freely.- The capacity to a discharge siphon for lavatory flushing cisof. the vessel l in the parts between the levels terns. 50 1 and 8 must be at least equal to the sum of the The device is constructed in the form of a doucapacity of the pipe 5 (between the levels 9 and ble siphon, Fig. 6, comprising the pipes H, I2, I3 10) and of the pipe 3 (between the levels 7? and and M, the cross-sections of which correspond Ill)..- to that of the outlet pipe 30 of the flushing cis- The pipe 5 ascends vertically and is open in tern. The pipe H dips into the flushing cistern 55 at the level 25 and the pipe i l communicates with the pipe 353, the length of which does not in any way affect the operation of the device.

On the rear of the double siphon is disposed the aforesaid hydrostatic valve.

It comprises in this case, Fig. 5, the pipe I5,

which communicates at the top with the highest part of the first siphon (pipes ii and i2) through the orifice 26 out of the vessel it and the pipes Il', I8, 59, 20 and 2 I, the latter through the orifice 22 communicating with the pipes IE3 and id at a higher level than 35, so that the communication with the pipe 54, because during the filling of the flushing cistern, the overflow of the excess of water in the vessel It takes place preferably into the pipe I 3, in order to prevent it occurring as a loss from the device as would be the case if it took place into the pipe M and thus into the pipe 353 and into the vessel.

The capacity of the vessel it between the levels 3 5 and 3% must be at least equal to the total capacity of the pipe between the levels 34 and 35 and of the pipe 2! between the levels 36 and 32.

The vessel 38 attached to the bottom of the pipes I? and I8 and communicating with them is merely intended. to collect any impurities of the water, without diminishing the cross-section of the pipes.

The transverse dimension of all the pipes forming the hydrostatic switch is equal, so that on account of simplicity all these pipes are closed by a detachable plate which, by means of a plug (not shown) in a block 3'! connected to the device by casting, is screwed airtight to the said block.

In order to describe the operation of the device it will be assumed that first of all the vessel Iii and the pipes Il, I8 and have been filled with water, at least to the level 35. It will be explained hereinafter how this may be done automatically.

At the commencement of the filling of the cistern, the water rises at the same rate in the cistern and in the pipe II, the air contained in the pipe ii being able to escape freely through the pipes r12, i3, i i and 3t. When the water in the pipe I I has reached the level 3|, it flows into the pipe I2 and interrupts the escape of air taking place through the pipes I3, I l and 30.

Since consequently, as the water rises in the cistern, the water which flows from the pipe-II into the pipe I2 cannot rise in the latter, because the air contained therein has no escape, it rises on the contrary in the pipe I3 and forms a column of water which balances that which is formed in the cistern above the level SI.

At the same time, the air of the pipe I2 forces the water of the vessel i6 and the pipe ll down through the orifice 23 and the pipe i5, and produces a balancing column in the pipe 21 which obviously at the top has its limit at the level 32.

The air which is necessary in order to replenish the water in the vessel It and in the pipe I? in the proportion in which it sinks, is supplied by the pipe I2, in which the water consequently rises above the point. This level, by suitable calculation of the cross-section of the pipes, is limited to the level deemed suitable.

The diiference in level between the water in the cistern and that in the pipe II is balanced through the double siphon by the column which has been formed in the pipe i3 above the level in the pipe I2, and through the hydrostatic valve by the column which has formed in the pipes i8 and El above the level in i6 and H.

The various levels in the device are so calculated that when the water attains its normal level in the cistern, the level of the water in the pipe 6'] is for example still 8 millimetres above the point 23 and that in the pipe I3 is still above 15 millimetres below the point 35.

Under these conditions, the device is ready for operation.

It is clear that in order to discharge the cistern, it is merely necessary to diminish the column of water formed in the pipes IS and 2|. It will be described hereinafter how this is efiected.

The air pressure, which is no longer balanced by the residual column in IS and 2I, then overcomes the resistance of the said column, and while the water in these pipes descends again through the pipes 20 and I9 into the vessel I6 (which latter, as already stated, can contain it fully without allowing any overflow into the pipe I 8 over the point 36), the air of the pipe I2, which air is compressed by the water, which in the pipe II tends to rise to the same level as the water in the cistern, and also by the water column in the pipe I3, which column is no longer balanced and therefore tends to fall, flows through the pipe I5, the vessel I6, the pipes II, I8 and 2| (which have remained fully open) and through the orifice 22 in the upper part of the siphon formed by the pipes I3 and I4, and through the pipes I4 and 30 into the open.

The water flowing from the pipe I I into the pipe I2 effects the starting of the double siphon, which takes place extremely rapidly, because the air escapes freely through the hydrostatic valve charged, both the double siphon and also the;

hydrostatic valve cease to act, the water contained in the vessel It and in the pipe I5 falls again (despite the vacuum in the pipes 30 and it) ensures a level 33 in the hydrostatic valve, whereby the latter again becomes ready for operation.

The balancing column produced in the pipe 2| of the switch may be diminished in various ways. For normal flushing cisterns, it is possible to era-- ploy the following method, for example: At the.- bottom of the outlet pipe 30 of the cistern, at the connecting point of the pan, a siphon 45 is formed, the height of which may vary, but is advantageously to 25 millimetres. It is clear that this siphon, instead of being formed on the lower part of the pipe 30, may also be provided as part of the construction of the pan itself.

After each discharge of the flushing cistern, this siphon always remains full of water.

In that case, at the commencement of the filling of the flushing cistern, the air contained in the pipes II, I2, I3 and I4 (assuming that the pipes I2, I3 are empty) cannot escape through the outlet pipe 30, but must overcome a resistance which is equal to the column of water, for example of 25 millimetres, which forms in the lower siphon 45. Consequently, the Water does not rise at the same rate as in the pipe II, until a column of water is formed which balances that of the lower siphon.

In the hydrostatic valve, no displacement of water takes place, because the air pressure in the pipe I I, which pressure is effective in the switch through the orifice 28 and the pipe I5, is balanced by the air-pressure (caused by the column of Water in the lower siphon 45) in the pipe I4, which air-pressure acts in the switch through the orifice 22.

If, however, in the pipes I2 and I3 during the filling of the flushing cistern, there is no appreciable quantity of water present (which is the case after each discharge of the flushing cistern), the air in the pipes II and I2, not being able to escape, causes a column of water to rise in the pipe I3 and another column of water (for example of 25 millimetres) to rise in the lower siphon 45.

In this case, the water in the flushing cistern gradually rises to the level of the pipe II until a column of water is formed which is balanced by the sum of the water columns in the pipe I3 and in the lower siphon 45.

In the hydrostatic valve, therefore it is clear that a column of water of the same height as that in the pipe I3 rises in the pipe 2|.

Furthermore, there is no change in the operation of the apparatus which while the flushing cistern is being filled, passes through the stages already described. However, when the water in the flushing cistern has reached its normal level, the column of water contained therein above point 3| is obviously 25 millimetres higher than the. column of water formed in the pipe I3, and also than that in the pipes I8 and H of the hydrostatic valve.

In other words, the balancing column of water in the hydrostatic valve is given by the column of water in the pipes I8 and 2I increased, for example of 25 millimetres, which originates from the air pressure created in the pipes I4 and 30 by the column of water in the lower siphon 45.

On the outlet pipe 30 is a push button 46, Figures 3 and '7, through the operation of which the compressed air in the pipe 3|] can escape freely.

If the flushing cistern is to be discharged, the button 46 is pressed. The balancing column thereby falls by 25 millimetres, due to the escape of the air from the outlet 30 and thepipe I4. Consequently, the hydrostatic valve snaps and the double siphon is primed.

It may be, however, that when the water in the flushing cistern has reached the level 29, and water enters through the pipe I I into the double siphon, its switching off begins, and since at this moment the float valve for feeding the flushing cistern is fully open, then due to the reduced suction effect of the doublesiphon, the level of the water in the flushing cistern might tend to rise above the level 29 and thus flood the pipe I I before sufficient air for fully switching off the double siphon has penetrated therein.

This would disturb the equilibrium in the whole system, and most sensitively in the case under discussion, since the descent of the column of water in the pipe 30 is effected by switching off the double siphon would create a vacuum in the pipe I4, which vacuum cannot be eliminated because the lower siphon 45 does not allow any communication of the pipe I4 with the outer air.

In order to obviate this possible disadvantage, the pipe system 24, 25 and 25 is provided.

At the bottom, the pipe 24 is connected to the flushing cistern at the point 41 which is situated somewhat higher than the point 29 inrthe pipe II. The pipe 26 communicates at the top. with the highest part of pipes II and I2.

The pipes 24, 25 and 25 form a unit which is absolutely like the hydrostatic valve, and in which the pipe I5 and the vessel I6 are replaced by the flushing cistern and the pipe 24, and the pipe 21 isreplaced by the double siphon.

In the filling stage of the flushing cistern, the Water rises in the pipe 24 and the pipe II, and

' attains the same level 3|.

When the double siphon starts, the vacuum of r the pipe II is also effective in the pipe 24, and

the pipe system 24, 25 and 26 acts together like an auxiliary pipe of the double siphon.

When the water in the flushing cistern has risen to the level 41, the feed valve being full open, the said water afterwards tends to fall (due to the double siphon having started) without however attaining the point 29 suitably disposed relatively to the reference datum 41.

At the same time, air is drawn through the pipe 24, the water contained therein falls back into the flushing cistern, and the level of the water in the pipe 25 falls and, on attaining the point 48, allows this auxiliary valve to start. The pipes 24, 25 and 26 then effect a free air inlet in the double siphon and its complete switching ofi.

This switching off takes place so rapidly that the level of the water in the flushing cistern (the said level tending to rise during the switching off) attains the point 41 before switching off is completed. In addition, however, the noise which in ordinary flushing cisterns is unavoidable on account of the fact that, on switching off, air flows into the double siphon out of the pipe I I through a not inconsiderable quantity of water into the double siphon, is almost entirely prevented.

It will now be examined whether the invention actually eliminates the disadvantages of the ordinary discharging devices.

1. When the water in the flushing cistern rises above the normal level, according to the invention, it cannot, as in similar devices, flow over into the outlet, pipe, since the higher column of water which would form in the flushing cistern above the point 3I would produce a higher air pressure in the pipe I2, that is to say, a rise in the pipe I3 and a fall in the pipes I1 and I 9. Before the water can flow over 35, the air pressure in the pipe I2 overcomes the resistance produced by the column in the pipes I8 and 2 I. The valve, on starting, allows the air a free escape and the device operates automatically.

2. When, during the filling of the cistern, the button is held depressed, no pressure, for ex ample of 25 millimetres, can occur in the outlet 30, and hence the balancing column would be limited to that formed in the pipes I8 and 2|. In this case, the device discharged itself systematically as soon as the water in the cistern has reached a level of for example 25 millimetres below the normal. However, the disadvantages of an overflow at the outlet, such as occurs with other devices of this kind and can only be prevented by discharging the cistern in some way or other, is obviated.

3. When the push button is not depressed for a sufficiently long time, the water tends to fall in the pipes I6 and I1, due to the drop in pressure in the pipe 30, and the higher column forming above the level in the pipes I8 and 2| has a balancing effect upon the lowered pressure in the pipe 30, without equilibrium being disturbed.

The device does not operate, but remains ready for operation until the button is again depressed, without there being any danger of an overflow of water in the outlet pipe 3|! as in ordinary devices.

4. The noise which is quite unavoidable in ordinary devices is almost entirely eliminated according to the invention by means of a valve of the kind described.

The first filling of the valve after the assembly of the device may be effected by a first starting of the double siphon, for example by filling the flushing cistern as usual, which if desired can be assisted by adding water to the ordinary quantity of water supplied by the feed valve, so that the level of the water in the cistern rises very rapidly.

If the flushing cistern is disposed at a sufiicient height above the pan (Figure 3), the unit forming the hydrostatic valve may simply comprise the pipes l1, l8 and 2|, and the vessel l6 (Figure 15). r V In this case, at the moment of starting the valve, a portion of the water forming the column in the pipes I8 and 2| falls into the pipes IT and I8, and thereby considerably excludes the escape of air from the pipe l2, in which the pressure is consequently diminished but is not eliminated.

However, at the level of the outlet pipe 30,

this simple disturbance of equilibrium is sufficient to bring about, even though not immediately, the starting of the double siphon.

The push button may act resiliently or in some other way.

The following is a control for actuating the device whereby the lower siphon 45 is eliminated (Figures 12, 13 and 14).

The pipe 2| of the hydrostatic valve is bent into the form of an inverted siphon comprising the arms 49 and B, of which the arm 50 communicates by Way of orifice 22 with the pipes l3 and M at a point which is situated above the level 35. The upper part of the pipes 49 and 2| communicates through the orifice 5! with the nipple 52 of the push button.

During the filling of the cistern, and as the balancing column gradually rises in the pipe 2|, the air can escape freely out of the latter through the pipes 49 and 5a, the orifice 22 and the pipes l4 and 3|].

When the water in th pipe 2| stands at the level 53, it overflows into the pipe M and at the level 54 cuts off the escape of air from the pipe 49 through the pipe as, the orifice 22 and the pipes l4 and 3t.

As the level of the water in the cistern rises, and hence as the pressure on the water in the pipes l6 and I1 increases, the latter flows over the level 53 into the pipe 49, since it cannot ascend further in the pipe 43 because the air cannot escape out of the said pipe, and rises in the pipe 50 up to the point 32.

When the water in the cistern has reached its normal level, the column formed therein above the point 3| is balanced through the valve by the column which has risen in the pipe 2| to the point 53 in combination with the column formed in the pipe 50 between the points 54 and 32.

In this way, the column of water formed in the pipe 50 replaces the lower siphon, but with the difference that whereas for balancing the column formed in the cistern above the point 3! during filling, the lower siphon 35 forms an extension both for the resistance column in the pipe l3 and for the resistance column of the pipes I8 and 2 I, the column forming in the pipe 5|! during the filling of the cistern forms an extension only for the column of the pipes 8 and 2|.

In this case, the device must be so constructed that a column can be formed in the pipe I3, which column without the assistance of the lower siphon, balances the column formed in the cistern above the point 3|, while in the valve this column is balanced by the sum of the columns l8, 2| and 50. There is no other change in the operation of the device.

When by operating a push-button (which in this case obviously should not be provided on the outlet pipe of the cistern, but externally thereof) the compressed air is allowed to escape from the pipe 49 through the orifice 5|, the continuity of liquid in the pipes 2|, 49 and 50 being thereby restored, the balancing column in the switch no longer corresponds to the sum of the columns in the pipes 2| and 50, but of the column between the point 32 and the level in the pipes I6 and H, which column is obviously shorter than the first column.

'In this way, equilibrium is disturbed, the valve starts and effects the starting of the double siphon as explained hereinbefore.

On the starting of the double siphon, the column of water in the pipe 2| falls again, thus effecting the almost complete discharge of the pipes 49 and 5D and hence the admission of air.

Since, as described in the foregoing, the device may operate automatically when the water in the flushing cistern rises above the lever 3| and thus overcomes the resistance column of the valve, it is clear that the automatic discharge always occurs exactly at a very definite invariable level of the water in the flushing cistern.

If the elements serving for the reduction of the resistance column are omitted, the device can therefore be employed for discharge at regular intervals, the time between two discharges being then regulated by regulating the supply of water to the cistern so that a pre-determined desired interval of time is necessary for the water to attain the level for automatic starting.

Of course, by suitable constructional modifice tions within the scope of the invention, the latter may also be rendered suitable for purposes other than that described hereinbefore by way of example.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that What I claim is:

1. A hydrostatic valve device characterized by two parallelly disposed inverted siphons, one of which descends to a lower point than the other and is provided with a large chamber, in which the liquid with its free surface can make a vertical stroke which corresponds to the total stroke of the arm of the other siphon, the said arm being connected to the chamber, means for supplying gas to the said chamber and to the said arm under variable pressure, and the other two arms of both siphons being connected and carried upwardly into a hydraulic loading circuit provided with an overflow, the capacity of the chamber corresponding to the above-mentioned stroke being sufiicient to contain the quantity of liquid which flows back out of the above-mentioned discharge conduit when the gas under varying pressure forces the liquid out of the siphon so that it falls to a minimum level, which is higher than that of the other siphon.

2. A hydrostatic valve as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that the equilibrium column of the valve is not diminished for discharging, but the equilibrium is disturbed When the water in the cistern rises above such a value that the resistance of the equilibrium column in the valve is overcome.

3. A hydrostatic valve as claimed in claim 1 applied to a device for the rapid and noiseless starting of the double outlet siphon of the flushing cistern, characterized in that, for starting the air is not drawn through the first ascending arm of the double siphon but is introduced completely through the valve upon the latter starting, thereby ensuring rapid and noiseless switching off.

4. A hydrostatic valve as claimed in claim 1, with a compressed gas supply conduit, a hydraulic chamber into which said conduit opens, a liquid conduit from said chamber and a second liquid conduit in communication with said first liquid conduit and provided with overflow at its top for the loading column of liquid, characterized in that parallel with the above-mentioned parts between the gas conduit and the second liquid conduit is inserted a U-shaped tube from which the liquid is gradually displaced by the continuously increasing pressure of the gas coming from the gas conduit, this taking place at the same time also in said chamber, the liquid being forced rapidly into the second liquid conduit when the said pressure exceeds a certain value, and the displaced liquid not flowing from the second liquid conduit back into the U-tube but falling back through the first liquid conduit into the said chamber, since the second liquid conduit is ofiset horizontally relatively to the U-tube, said chamber being sufficiently capacious to contain the water flowing back out of the second liquid conduit, without flooding the said U-tube.

RUGGERO NICCOLAI. 

